So you want a free-standing vanity (ordered from stock) set between the window wall and a newly added built-in linen closet bumped out from the chimney soffit wall? I don't see why not. If there is space to slide a cabinet in, then isn't there enough space to build one in? You may end up with closer to only 12" of usuable shelf space, because of frame and drywall- but buying a freestanding cabinet will yield even less overall storage...and two furniture pieces standing tight in the alcove is not your ideal- regardless of the pieces matching. A cabinet shop could build a custom vanity with an attached (or seperate) linen closet, that would be "ok" and expensive - but your idea is the best use of the space and visually cleaner, and....VERY do-able. Really. If your contractor and crew can't build the linen cabinet frame and door(s) then a cabinet shop can build and deliver the rough cabinet box and doors- for your contractor to secure to studs, sheetrock in, and trim out. I may not understand the issue fully but this seems similar to a closet we had worked-in to replace an open narrow niche- sorry, no photos. I hope you get what you need without settling unnecessarily. hth ps...looking at your floorplan does not tell the whole story, I know....but have you considered placing the linen cabinet on the other end of the vanity, by the window? Having the vanity flanked by the linen cabinet and chimney to each side might feel more balanced and place attention on the vanity as a focal point.

I am still at a loss for an accent color, would Red be too much? It would help tie in both rooms. I hope to have the entrance to the rooms trimmed in molding in the next 6 months. (see more rug and art choices below) Tinker-overstock.com, these are wool rugs 4x6 for $139 and $2.95 to ship, Superchick posted about an entry rug. Now she rec'd her rug (ivory/beige color) amd she says it appears if hers might have been a floor model because it looks like it had grease on it. I have read a lot of the reviews on the different rugs and they seem to be positive. Parma-Yes, tired of the orange!!, it was fun for a year, but now I want to show some continuity, it's funny because the dining room looks green now because of the way the light hits it, but I still love the color. Yes, keeping the dining room rug (dark as photos) I did was changed the way the table is facing, so the ends are at the window and the back of the couch, I'm sure it's not intended that way, but it looks so much better and gives us much more room. More Rug choices and some art #3 Stylish rug is accented in red, sage, gold and ivory #4 Rug features gold, red, ivory and green color accents #5 Accents in burgundy, red, olive, sage, and gold (I don't see red in the pic) #6 Art, for some reason I am drawn to these birds, I think my grandmother had these in her home when I was little or something similiar, they are 16" wide and 35" long, thinking for each side of the hutch

It's funny the way the camera views things differently. IRL, the 3rd wood looks much closer to the tile color, but I'm not sure that's a good thing. The dark floor we have now really shows the dust - not good for a lazy housekeeper such as myself. I do fine with the halls and kitchen, but I don't even notice it in the big room, probably because I seldom go in there except to walk through it. Another thing I've been wondering about is the feel of the wood. Our current floor has, or had, a smooth finish. It didn't look plastic, but had an obvious finish coat on it. The first two samples here don't have a smooth finish at all, almost like they need to be sanded a little more. The salesman said they have a scratch resistant coating and they are hand scraped. The third sample has a finish that feels smooth, more like furniture.

After over 40 years of cleaning kitchens I have had every kind of kitchen. And all products have their pros and cons. There are no absolutes, just choices you prefer. Top of range -- stainless steel is easier to clean and keep looking nearly new than black porcelain. They both are a PITA to keep clean and not show water spots. Both get scratched, though I think the SS shows the scrathes more in my experience. And black porcelain can chip and shows dust more. I found SS to be hotter to work with, it seemed to relect the heat. I would be sweating up a storm by the time I was finished making pancakes for breakfast. Black porcelain not so much. Cabinets -- stained wood is easier than painted (but how tough is it to keep the painted looking good, and how do you do it?) I found that stained wood doesn't show dirt, grease or stains as much as painted. Especially if it is a dark stain. And after years of cleaning painted (white), I wore through the finish. Not so on stained which had over 20 years of cleaning. Also white really shows dust and dirt. Appliances -- stainless steel is generally the toughest to keep up. I got all SS in my new kitchen remodel. I absolutely HATE it! I have tried every product out there and it still looks streaky. I can't get that showroom look no matter how hard I try, even cleaning every day doesn't help. I have also had white, Harvest Gold, and black. I hate to say it but the Gold appliances didn't show the dust and dirt as much. Really ugly but easy maintenance. Black really showed the dust and white showed dirt and any spilled food like spag sauce. Textured black didn't show fingerprints or streaks. There is nothing really easy to maintain out there. And did I mention I HATE SS! Floors -- stone or ceramic tile is easier than wood to keep looking new. I have had real linoleum floors, vinyl, ceramic and porcelain tile and old wood. Linoleum was the easiest to maintain and easiest on the feet. Wood the hardest to keep up and warped when there was a leak, and there were gouge marks when things were dropped. But also easy on the feet. I have large porcelain tile now and find it easy to keep clean. I have dark beige grout so doesn't show stains. And things haven't been dropped as much any more.(DS is grown.) And I don't do as much standing as I use to and have padded rugs so no strain on the feet. Ceramic tile chips and shows the dark color underneath, porcelain tile is harder and has the color all the way through. Counters -- too many opinions to sort but it sounds like Quartz (e.g. Caesarstone) is easiest. I have had tile, laminate, and granite. Laminate is easily stained and scarred. And I hate tile and cleaning the white grout lines, unless you get that new grout that is easy to clean and doesn't stain. I was going to get Silestone but my sister-in-law got it first and has not been happy with it. There is a slight color difference that developed over time between pieces and flaws in the material. It is no easier to keep clean then my sealed granite. I have had my granite almost 2 years now (Verde Butterfly) and I have no stains and it looks as good as new. I think it is just a matter of what you like looks wise. Sinks -- seems like Silgranit has lots of votes for ease of upkeep and stainless has mixed reviews. Fireclay, porcelain cast-iron have their advocates and seem to be problem-free. I ordered a Franke fireclay farm house sink for my remodel, 3 times. It kept coming in cracked or chipped or just plain broken. I went next with a Kindred SS sink. I find it easy to keep clean and almost indestructible. It does develop scratches over time, but that is just it's patina. And I do have a bottom rack to protect the bottom surface. I have had white procelain cast iron sinks and they chip, plus it is hard to keep them looking really nice unless you bleach them all the time. Faucets -- chrome is easiest to keep in a pristine like new condition, followed by polished nickel and then the "living finishes"-- which are intended to change over time I have always had chrome and it is easy to maintain and is classic. But the shiny chrome shows water spots and the finish will wear off in time. This time I got brushed nickel with a PVD finish and it has held up well for 2 years. And the brushed finish doesn't show water spots. The only thing I definitely would recommend NOT having is wood floors in a kitchen. It is very expensive if your dishwasher or plumbing springs a leak and floods your kitchen. Been there, done that. Just my humble opinion.